This year was the 2nd year in a row to the top. Went up last year with IMG via DC, summit 7/20/13. Then, my wife wanted to go. So, here we go again. Returned with IMG again, both of us summited (actually, all 12 climbers in our group were successful.) I can't say enough good stuff about IMG. Beautiful weather both years. I have to say, after being on the mountain 3 times now, it gets better each time. First year with RMI was not successful. But with each successive year, what was once a chore is now becoming more routine, so you can smell the roses along the way, so to speak.

Three day ascent camping on the inter glacier day one, emmons flat day two, and summiting in a snowstorm and high winds day three. Beautiful weather all four days on the mountain except summit day. Snow was super soft, two feet of slush in sections.

We started at Paradise at 9 pm and reached the summit 10 hours later. Conditions were very good and the weather was perfect. The view from the summit was amazing and it was a worhty summit to finish our US trip.

Some thoughts.. Rainier is a big mountain which is technically pretty easy, but I found the DC route quite dangerous. Rockfall danger along the Cowlitz glacier, the beginning of the Flats and when traversing on the Disappointment Clever. Furthermore, seracs are threatening the Flats. So be sure to be able to tackle the difficulties without problems in order to be fast enough on these dangerous sections. A frosty night and an early start are also obligatory.

Had a chilly bivy at the top of the cleaver and pushed for the summit the following afternoon. The view from the top was crystal clear, but 30-40mph winds. Spent an hour exploring and spent the night back at the Muir bunk house. Right now the crevasses are pretty minimal. The biggest being 6-8 inches wide. Awesome experience, can't wait to go back next year!

Surprisingly toasty in camps along the way but freeeeezing/snowing/foggy/windy at the summit. Absolutely gorgeous sunrise on the way up. 54 pound pack, almost half my body weight! Glad I did it while I was young ( :

Climbed the Emmons from Camp Schurman with a group guided by IMG. Very lucky with the weather window; it was overcast and foggy both the night before and the afternoon afterwards. As we climbed the clouds rose with us, making the descent very slow in soft snow and low visibility.